Lieutenant Governor Means Government Of Delhi

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• President Ram Nath Kovind recently gave his assent to a new bill called the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Amendment Bill, 2021.
• This new amendment bill makes the lieutenant governor equal to Delhi Government.
• In short, the GNCTD bill gives supremacy to the lieutenant governor of Delhi over the Delhi Government.

BACKGROUND DETAILS

• It is said that the amendments in the bill are made in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling in the 2018 case regarding the ambiguity of powers of the Delhi Government and lieutenant governor.
• This new legislation makes it necessary and elongates the process of decision making for the Delhi Government by seeking approval of the lieutenant governor before taking any executive action.
• According to several reports, the newly amended bill misinterprets the judgement of the Supreme Court rather than being in line with the ruling.
• The crux of the Supreme Court judgement clarified that the lieutenant governor should act as a facilitator and not emerge as an adversary towards the Council of Ministers in Delhi.

FURTHER DETAILS

• Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has dubbed this as the ‘sad day for Indian Democracy.’
• Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy commented and explained the following with regards to the bill :

• He stated that these new changes in the bill through amendments would not only bring transparency and clarity in the governance of the NCT of Delhi but also enhance public accountability.
• He also said that these amendments are made on technical footings and there was no ‘political angle.’
• He defends the proposed ordinance by stating that the bill does not curtail the powers of the Delhi Government which are provided by the Constitution.

CONCLUSION

It seems the ones who are in power would naturally support the ordinance but it seems that this bill says otherwise. When this bill was scrutinised and analysed by many, it showed a different image. While some say it an unconstitutional move, while others feel that the bill needs to be reconsidered by forming a select committee.

Whatsoever, but as pointed out this bill calls the ‘Lieutenant Governor = Delhi Government’ while the Supreme Court ruling said that the lieutenant governor should just act as a facilitator of the government.

Do you think this is a fresh attack on AAP led Delhi Government? Or Do you support the Modi Government’s latest bill? Comment below.